On 28 February, the LIFE Integrated Project “Naturalit” team organized a seminar on “Soil, its importance, ecology and sustainable use”. Speakers included PhD. Jonas Volungevičius, associate professor at Vilnius University and a specialist at the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Professor PhD. Vaclovas Bogužas from Vytautas Magnus University’s Department of Agroecosystems and Soil Sciences, and Tautvydas Beinoras, an independent consultant from “Agrokonsultacija Tau”, LLC.
The participants were introduced to the diversity of soil types in Lithuania, soil research in the country, discussed the sustainable use of soil and the problems caused by unsustainable farming practices. Tautvydas Beinoras shared information from the perspective of farmers, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of land cultivation technologies based on years of practical experience.
During the seminar, participants had the opportunity to ask questions to the specialists and engage in discussions about improving the condition of Lithuanian soil.
On May 30th, the second event on this topic was held in Ukmergė and the Ukmergė district, which combined theoretical presentations and a practical visit to a farm. PhD Jūratė Aleinikovienė, from Vytautas Magnus University’s Faculty of Agronomy, presented the characteristics of soil that determine natural fertility, biological activity and other factors. The presentation by PhD Nijolė Maršalkienė, from Vytautas Magnus University’s Faculty of Forestry and Ecology, focused on the topic of fungi and mycorrhiza.
The practical part of the event included a visit to the farm of farmer and agronomist Valentinas Genys, who has been practicing farming without using fertilizers and pesticides for many years, relying only on natural processes, and showing respect for everything living on his land. It was great that Tautvydas Beinoras, the consultant from “Agrokonsultacija Tau”, who participated in the first seminar, joined this event as well, along with a group of active farmers who helped to make the discussions held in V. Genys’ fields very practical and memorable.
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